Box For Pencil Leads

ABSTRACT

A container for small elongated objects such as pencil leads that includes at least two adjacent compartments, a first compartment having an end that includes an opening for loading and unloading the small objects, and a second compartment having an end on which are articulated a closing unit for opening the first compartment.

CROSS-REFERENCED TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national stage application of International Application No. PCT/FR2006/002003, filed on Aug. 29, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The embodiments of the present invention relate generally to containers for small elongated objects, such as leads for rechargeable mechanical pencils. More particularly, it relates to containers comprising several storage compartments.

2. Description of the Related Art

A storage box for pencil leads, containing several parallel chambers and a common opening for access to these different chambers, is known from U.S. Pat. No. 3,815,734. A sliding and flexible closure device is provided in front of the opening. This device can be retracted by a rigid control knob which can slide in a groove under the action of a finger for example and thus shift the closure device in order to access the different chambers successively. It is not possible, however, with such a device to gain access to a particular chamber without opening other chambers. Moreover, the sliding closure device can prove to be fragile in use with risks of deterioration or even breakage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the embodiments of the present invention is to propose an original container for small elongated objects, presenting a compact and simple structure, which is reliable in operation and easy to use.

To this end, an embodiment of the present invention relates to a container for small elongated objects, comprising at least two adjacent compartments, a first compartment having an end comprising an opening for loading and unloading the small objects, and a second compartment having an end on which are articulated closing means of the opening of the first compartment.

The structure thus proposed is compact with no risk of losing the closing means of the opening which are connected to the second compartment.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, use can optionally also be made of one and/or the other of the following arrangements:

-   -   the closing means are preferably capable of rotating,     -   each compartment is preferably tubular,     -   the compartments are preferably parallel and integral, the         opening of the first compartment being provided on the same side         of the container as the end of the second compartment comprising         the closing means,     -   the closing means preferably comprise a linking element suitable         for cooperating in rotation with the end of the second         compartment and a cover integral with the linking element and         suitable for closing the opening of the first compartment by         rotation of the closing means relative to the end of the second         compartment,     -   the cover preferably includes a stop for blocking the rotation         of the closing means through contact of the stop with the first         compartment when the cover closes the opening,     -   the closing means as well as the opening preferably comprise         means of locking the closing means on the opening,     -   the locking means preferably comprise a projection and a         complementary groove, each being borne by a separate element of         the cover-opening assembly,     -   the linking element preferably comprises latching elements         extending in a direction substantially normal to the principal         direction of the second compartment, the latching elements         forming a cylinder portion cooperating during the rotation of         the closing means with a cylindrical housing created at the end         of the second compartment, and in which they are held by         latching,     -   the second compartment preferably also has another end         comprising an opening, called second opening, and the first         compartment also has another end on which are articulated         closing means, called second closing means, of the second         opening, and     -   the first and second closing means are preferably identical.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features, aims and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description of an embodiment given by way of a non-limiting example. The invention will also be better understood with the help of the drawings in which:

FIG. 1.1 is a perspective view of the two adjacent compartments of the container according to an embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 1.2 is a front view of these same two compartments,

FIG. 2.1 is a view from below of the closing means of the container according to an embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 2.2 is a side view of these same closing means,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the closing means of the container according to an embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 4.1 is a side view of the container according to an embodiment of the present invention, and

FIG. 4.2 is a front view of the container according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the different figures, the same references denote identical or similar elements.

FIG. 1.1 represents the storage part, or chamber 10, of the container for small objects according to an embodiment of the present invention. This chamber 10 comprises a first compartment 11 fitted with an end. This end comprises an opening 21 for loading and unloading small elongated objects, such as for example pencil leads or erasers. A second compartment 12 adjacent to the first compartment 11 is also provided, and has an end 22. A cylindrical housing 24 is created at this end 22. Each compartment 11 and 12 preferably comprises a tubular part defining, inside each compartment, storage zones for the small elongated objects. In a preferred embodiment, the two compartments 11 and 12 are parallel, integral and identical, and joined by a seam 40. The chamber 10 can be made from plastic, wood, or any other material suitable for this type of container. The chamber 10 can be constituted by a single piece, or by the two compartments 11 and 12 attached to each other via the seam 40.

The end 22 of the second compartment 12 is adapted to receive the closing means of the opening 21 of the first compartment, i.e. the closing means of the opening 21 of the first compartment 11 being articulated on the end 22 of the second compartment 12. In a preferred embodiment, the opening 21 of the first compartment 11 is provided on the same side of the chamber 10 as the end 22 of the second compartment 12 which receives the closing means.

These closing means are represented in FIGS. 2.1, 2.2 and in FIG. 3. In a preferred embodiment of the container according to an embodiment of the present invention, these closing means 50 are capable of rotating. They comprise a first linking element 52 suitable for cooperating in rotation with the end 22 of the second compartment 12, and a second part in the form of cover 51, integral with the linking element 52. This linking element 52 provides the link between the cover 51 and the chamber 10. It will be noted that it is suitable for closing the opening 21 of the first compartment 11 by rotation of the closing means 50 around the end 22 of the second compartment 12. The closing means 50, as shown FIG. 2.2, are preferentially substantially flat in shape. In the case of the example of the FIG. 1.1, where the first and second compartments are cylindrical in shape, parallel and of the same length, the closing means 50 can be constituted by two overlapping circular parts as shown in FIG. 2.1 in the general shape of an “8”, the first circular part constituting the cover 51, and covering the opening 21 of the first compartment 11, and the second circular part corresponding to the linking element 52 which is fitted on the end 22 of the second compartment 12.

In a preferred embodiment, the closing means 50 turn on the end 22 of the second compartment 12 in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the cylindrical parts of the first and second compartments. In order to permit this rotation movement, the linking element 52 of the closing means 50 comprises latching elements, here two separate elements 54 and 56, which extend in a direction substantially normal to the principal direction of the second compartment 12. These latching elements 54 and 56, a larger number of which can also be provided, describe a cylinder portion also extending in a direction substantially normal to the principal direction of the second compartment 12, and are inserted into the cylindrical housing 24, the shape of which complements the cylinder portion described by the latching elements, in order that these latter are held by latching. The cylindrical housing 24, created at the end 22 of the second compartment 12, thus allows the rotation of the linking element 52, and therefore of the cover 51 thanks to the latching elements 54 and 56 which slide on this complementary cylindrical housing 24.

In order to permit only the rotation of the closing means 50 around the end 22 of the second compartment 12, and prevent any translation movement of the closing means 50 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of rotation (and therefore any too easy separation of the closing means and of the chamber 10), retaining elements, respectively 541 and 561, are provided at the free end of the latching elements 54 and 56. These retaining elements 541 and 561 cooperate with a guide (not visible in FIG. 1.1) arranged inside the complementary cylindrical portion 24 provided at the end 22 of the second compartment 12. This guide can be in the form of a circular flange standing proud inside the complementary cylindrical portion 24. The latching elements 54 and 56 provided on the linking element 52 must then be long enough that, during the insertion of these elements 54 and 56 into the complementary cylindrical housing 24, the retaining elements 541 and 561 extend just beyond the flange-shaped guide, and thus prevent any accidental removal of the closing means 50. On the other hand, the rotation of the closing means 50 is possible by sliding of the retaining elements 541 and 561 on the flange-shaped guide.

During the insertion of the closing means 50, and therefore of the latching elements 54 and 56 into the cylindrical housing 24, the latching elements 54 and 56 must of course have a degree of flexibility in order to be able to bend slightly and thus fit into a reduced diameter, until the final insertion position is reached inside the complementary cylindrical housing 24.

Different retaining devices can be provided such as grooves provided at the ends of the latching elements, and a complementary circular flange provided in the complementary cylindrical housing 24; or vice-versa, a device comprising flanges provided on the latching elements, and a circular groove created in the internal part of the complementary cylindrical housing 24. These retaining elements describe circles or portions of circles in order on the one hand to permit the rotation of the closing means 50 while still preventing the accidental removal of these closing means 50 from the corresponding cylindrical housing 24.

The cover 51 comprises a stop 53 for blocking the rotation of the closing means 50 through contact of the stop 53 with the first compartment 11 when the closing means 50, and therefore the cover 51, have been turned sufficiently for the cover 51 to close the opening 21 of the first chamber 11. The stop 53 can be in the form of an element extending in a direction perpendicular to the cover situated on the same side as the latching elements 54 and 56. Thus the stop 53 can enter into contact with the external wall of the first compartment 11 close to the opening 21 during the closure movement of the closing means 50.

In another embodiment, the cover 51 has a diameter substantially equivalent to the external diameter of the first compartment 11 at the opening 21. In this case, the stop has a thickness smaller than the thickness of the wall of the first compartment at the opening, and a recess 23 is provided on the external wall of the first compartment 11 such that the stop 53 enters the recess 23 when the cover 51 covers the whole of the opening 21.

In order to provide an increased firmness of the stop 53, the latter can be in the form of a latching element that can enter into contact with a wider portion of the external wall of the first compartment 11 during the closure of the closing means 50. In this case, the recess 21 is consequently provided such that the whole of the stop 53 is housed in the recess, the stop 53 as well as the first compartment, at the opening 21, having a substantially continuous surface thanks to the whole of the stop being housed in a recess 21 of complementary shape.

Locking means are provided on the closing means 50 and the opening 21 in order to ensure a locking of the closing means 50 on the opening 21. These locking means, as shown in FIGS. 2.1 and 1.2, can be in the form of a projection 25 and a complementary groove 55, each of these elements being borne by a separate element of the assembly cover 51-opening 21. Thus, during the rotation of the closing means 50 in order to bring the cover 51 over the opening 21, at the same time as the cover 51 covers the opening 21, the stop 53 is housed in the recess 23, and the projection 25 is housed in the groove 55. In the embodiment presented in FIG. 1.2, the projection 25 is provided at the opening 21 of the first compartment 11, close to the recess 23. When the cover 51 reaches the projection 25, the cover 51 must rise slightly until the projection meets the groove 55. A rounded shape of the projection 51 allows the cover to be raised slightly without the user needing to apply a significant force during the rotation of the closing means 50. When the groove is borne by the cover 51, the stop 53, as well as the groove 55, are respectively complementary elements of the recess 23, and of the projection 25, in order to permit an adequate closure of the opening 21.

According to the preferred embodiment, as represented in FIGS. 4.1 and 4.2, closing means 60 can be provided at the opposite ends of the first and second compartments. The closing means 60 are then identical to the closing means 50 represented in FIGS. 2.1 and 2.2 and comprise a stop 63, latching elements 64 suitable for cooperating with a cylindrical housing, and a part of the locking means (not shown) for locking the closing means 60 in the closed position.

The first compartment has, at the end opposite the opening 21, a second end 31 which has, in the internal part, a cylindrical housing 33 suitable for receiving the latching elements 64 and the linking element of the closing means 60. The end opposite the end 22 of the second compartment 12 has a second opening 32, similar to the opening 21, which comprises a recess 34 and a projection 36, these elements being respectively the complements of the stop 63 and of a groove (not shown in FIG. 4.1) created on the closing means 60. Thus, the closing means 60 of the second opening 32 are articulated on the second end 31.

In the embodiments represented in FIGS. 1.1, 1.2, 4.1 and 4.2, the opposite ends of the same compartment play opposite roles, i.e. an opening for loading and unloading the small elongated objects is provided at a first end, while a cylindrical housing is provided at the opposite end to receive the linking element of the closing means. Thus, the two compartments can be used to receive, as represented in FIG. 4.2, separate small objects of different elongated shapes such as for example pencil leads 100 in the first compartment, and erasers 110 in the second compartment.

In other embodiments, a larger number of compartments can also be provided, each paired in order that the closing means of an opening are borne by one of the ends of the next compartment, such as for example two integral pairs of compartments aligned or disposed in a square.

Other embodiments can also be envisaged, such as for example the use of separate closing means at the opposite ends of the container constituted by the different compartments. 

1.-11. (canceled)
 12. A container for small elongated objects comprising at least two adjacent compartments, a first compartment having an end comprising an opening for loading and unloading the small objects, and a second compartment having an end on which are articulated means for closing the opening of the first compartment.
 13. The container according to claim 12, wherein the closing means are capable of rotating.
 14. The container according to claim 12, wherein each compartment is tubular.
 15. The container according to claim 14, wherein the compartments are parallel and integral, the opening of the first compartment being provided on the same side of the container as the end of the second compartment comprising the closing means.
 16. The container according to claim 15, wherein the closing means comprise a linking element suitable for cooperating in rotation with the end of the second compartment and a cover integral with the linking element and suitable for closing the opening of the first compartment by rotation of the closing means relative to the end of the second compartment.
 17. The container according to claim 16, wherein the cover includes a stop for blocking the rotation of the closing means through contact of the stop with the first compartment when the cover closes the opening.
 18. The container according to claim 16, wherein the closing means as well as the opening comprise means of locking the closing means on the opening.
 19. The container according to claim 18, wherein the locking means comprise a projection and a complementary groove, each being borne by a separate element of the cover-opening assembly.
 20. The container according to claim 16, wherein the linking element comprises latching elements extending in a direction substantially normal to the principal direction of the second compartment, the latching elements forming a cylinder portion cooperating during the rotation of the closing means with a cylindrical housing created at the end of the second compartment, and in which they are held by latching.
 21. The container according to claim 20, wherein the second compartment also has another end comprising an opening, called second opening, and wherein the first compartment also has another end on which are articulated closing means, called second closing means, of the second opening.
 22. The container according to claim 21, wherein the first and second closing means are identical. 